Summary
New Secretary of State Marco Rubio froze most foreign aid grants for three months, reportedly shocking State Department officials.
The freeze affects military aid to Ukraine, Jordan, and Taiwan, while exempting aid to Egypt and Israel.
Staff were instructed to halt nearly all existing foreign assistance programs immediately.
The move aligns with Trump’s pledge to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, as Russia gains ground in the conflict.
Rubio’s decision has raised concerns about the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy and global alliances.
In theory, yes.
No. Think about it. Would you really want to agree to peace as Russia, if every day you delay you gain more territory? Pausing support gives Russia every incentive to keep figting.
Especially since pause in support can’t be easily undone. It takes about 3 months from US deciding to send heavy equipment to it arriving at the front lines. A lot longer for jets.
So it is in Russias best interest to stall 3 months (pretend to negotiate) until Biden’s shipments all arrive and no more is on its way, then push as hard as they can for 3 months until the equipment sent to punish Russia arrives and then finally negotiate.
Funny that the announced pause is for 3 months. I am sure that is a coincidence.